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Screeching Weasel

Anthem For A New Tomorrow
1993
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Screeching Weasel - Anthem For A New Tomorrow (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Miles
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Published on January 16th 2004

Since Screeching Weasel has been around so long and put out so many brilliant albums it's very hard to decide which one is the best. But I think that many Weasel fans would agree that this is the creme of the crop. This album is pure genius in every sense of the word. It was released in 1993 at a time when punk rock was slowing building up and getting some attention. Lookout! Records was building up its empire with bands like Mr. T Experience, Screeching Weasel, and The Queers putting out damn good releases. It was just an exciting time for punk rock music.
This album is just so great for so many reasons. It's poppy. It's fast. The lyrics are top notch, continuing right about where "Wiggle" left off. Ben covers everything from love songs, to dealing with parents and growing up, to politics and religion. There isn't really a bad track on it. Try listening to it and not skipping any songs. It's hard to do. Hell it even has a Fat Mike guest appearance which is a nice touch. It's also got Screeching Weasel's first use of keyboards which I think really adds a lot to the songs that use it. It's got pretty much everything you could ever want in a SW album and in a pop punk album. It's not the cheesy shit that is out there now...it's got substance and it's one of the best albums of the last 15 years in my book.

Some highlights are "Falling Apart" which is a pop punk masterpiece and also has a great keyboard part. It's pretty much classic Weasel. "Talk to Me Summer" is an instrumental that has a guitar playing one of those pattented Screeching Weasel high note leads. It's only a minute and a half long but it's really great and leaves you wanting more. "Peter Brady" is the track featuring Fat Mike and it would be a great song without him. It's upbeat, catchy and has keyboards. This tune can pretty much can do no wrong. "Every Night" is arguably one of the best pop punk tunes you'll ever hear. I get chills when I listen to it. There have been many car rides where I've listened to this song on repeat 10 or 15 times. It's got phenomenal lyrics, and I just really can't say enough good things about this song and this album. "Totally" is a SW classic that pretty much sums up the genius of Screeching Weasel. It's short and sweet, it's catchy and the lyrics are a touch goofy yet overall sincere and meaningful. The album closes with the title track and this song is a powerful commentary on the state of the world at the time. I think it stands the test of time though, and is very current even today. It basically says we don't need the government or religion to help us or tell us what to do. We can do it ourselves and we can make a new tomorrow right now if we try. It's a great last song.

Again, I can't stress again how great this album is. Do yourselves a favor and get your hands on it You'll thank me later. Tell your friends and support the genius that is "Anthem for a New Tomorrow".

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Posted by -Strewtho- on 2005-04-24 10:07:00
My Score:

That Home Improvement comment is distrubing.
This album is good, I prefer my brains hurts.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at 9:30 AM (EST)
My Score:

I agree this fucking album kicks ass. It helped me get through alot of tough times that year.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 19, 2004 at 5:32 PM (EST)
My Score:

Would anyone else do Jill from Home Improvment? Fuckin a. While Tim's out snortin rails and getting wasted I'll be at their house while Jill makes me her pogo stick. Awwww yeah.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 19, 2004 at 4:15 PM (EST)
My Score:

see others DO agree BOOGADA is a great record - one of their best.

-Janelle
ILL AT EASE all the way, dude.

Posted by LushJ on 2004-01-19 14:17:33
My Score:

This is not their best record, no way. It's not the worst one, it's more in the middle of the pack. Screeching Weasel on their worst day is so much better than 99% of their clones.
Here's the best ones (not in order)- "Boogada Boogada Boogada", "My Brain Hurts", "Wiggle", and "Major Label Debut".

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 19, 2004 at 11:11 AM (EST)
My Score:

fuck this band.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 19, 2004 at 5:04 AM (EST)
My Score:

Hey, you. The guy below the guy below me...
I challenge your claim!
TEEN PUNKS IN HEAT was, is and always WILL BE the best Screeching Weasel record, PERIOD
-MATEO D'CAY

Posted by PetroBPettson on 2004-01-19 02:59:18
My Score:

No way, Their best cd is "Many Moods"....oh wait, wrong Ramones clones.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 19, 2004 at 1:13 AM (EST)
My Score:

Their best CD was Boogada Boogada Boogada! Anyone tells you anything else is a LIAR!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at 8:11 PM (EST)
My Score:

To Janelle-

Nah, I have to disagree. Career Objective is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than Ill At Ease. Just my opinion though ;)

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at 8:00 PM (EST)
My Score:

I got the SW logo tatooed next to my alkaline trio logo, and blink bunny....
go ahead and make fun

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at 1:42 PM (EST)
My Score:

After I read this, I immediately threw this album on. SO gooooooood!!!

Posted by PetroBPettson on 2004-01-18 03:59:24
My Score:

Yeah, that cover art is great!

Posted by Haggard on 2004-01-17 23:41:47
My Score:

"petro, u realize u said nothing concerning the album there dont you?"

Yes he did, he talked about the cover art.

-Justin

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 4:14 PM (EST)
My Score:

"...It's also got Screeching Weasel's first use of keyboards..."
Didn't they also use keyboards on a song or two of "My Brain Hurts"? Both great albums, though.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 3:18 PM (EST)
My Score:

"But I think that many Weasel fans would agree that this is the creme of the crop"

cream of the crop
creme de le creme

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 2:12 PM (EST)
My Score:

speaking of The Methadones, does anyone else agree that their debut ILL AT EASE is far better than CAREER OBJECTIVE?
-Janelle

Posted by RondoMondo on 2004-01-17 13:42:17
My Score:

Screeching Weasel is a band I would love to have playing live right about now. But atleast from their ashes the Methadones have rose up. OH, and can't forget the Riverdales.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 12:43 PM (EST)
My Score:

petro, u realize u said nothing concerning the album there dont you?

Posted by PetroBPettson on 2004-01-17 03:27:32
My Score:

Again, I gotta give a big ten for the album cover.....but I'm an art fag. No really, I am. I can prove it. www.cpop.com look under "artists", then "Ben Lyon". It's there, trust me. I'm also in "artists" under "motor city sleds 2", the show I'm currently in. Not to brag.......I'm just an art fag.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 1:44 AM (EST)
My Score:

Yeah, I'm kinda shocked that SW is having more albums reviewed... maybe people are finally realizing what I have for a long time, that SW is awesome (now somebody please review The Riverdale's Phase Three... cause you dont want me to do it!)

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 11:17 PM (EST)
My Score:

I didn't really take to this record. I've heard it and it never really stuck with me.

Barkley

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 9:23 PM (EST)
My Score:

i've reviewed a few weasel albums because SW is brilliant and highly underrated. the fact that less than half their albums are reviewed on here is a joke. they are 100 times better than a lot of the shit that gets reviewed on here. weasel will always always rule.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 9:21 PM (EST)
My Score:

Favorite album from one of my fav bands.

Great review, keep it up.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 5:59 PM (EST)
My Score:

Fugg yea.
It IS nice to see all of these Screeching Weasel reviews pop out all of a sudden. Thinkin' I just might do one, myself. Too bad Teen Punks was already done.
By the way, you all should read Ben Weasel's blog if you don't already. It's entertainment at its finest.
-MATEO D'CAY
PS...does it get any better than that badass breakdown after "I fucked up today..." in Every Night? Well I'm sure it does, but damn that's a sweet ending. The fade....wow.
-still MATEO D'CAY

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 5:29 PM (EST)
My Score:

to clarify:
by the what the fuck is this comment, i am referring to 2 SW record reviews in 1 week, which is unbelievably cool.
-Janelle

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 5:28 PM (EST)
My Score:

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?
Ha, no can't complain. This is great...

Fuckin Talk to Me Summer...ahh
and Inside Out. Yeah, that's all i need.
-Janelle